"How long does probate take?" is the question almost every executor asks first. The honest answer: anywhere from 4 weeks to 2 years, with a typical estate landing around 9-12 months from death to final distribution in 2026.
This article breaks down each stage of the probate timeline in England and Wales, what slows it down, and where executors most often get stuck.
What "probate" actually means
When someone dies, their estate has to be collected, settled, and distributed. To do that legally, the executors usually need a Grant of Probate - a court-issued document saying they have authority to act. (If there's no will, an administrator is appointed by the court via a Grant of Letters of Administration; the process is similar.)
Not every estate needs a grant. Banks and insurers will often release small balances on production of the death certificate alone. The threshold varies by institution - typically £15,000-£50,000 - so executors should ask each one.
The realistic timeline in 2026
Here's a stage-by-stage view of an average estate.
Weeks 0-4 - Practical immediate steps
- Register the death (within 5 days in England and Wales).
- Order multiple certified copies of the death certificate (typically 6-10 - banks, insurers, the Probate Service all want originals).
- Locate the will and identify the executors.
- Arrange the funeral.
- Notify employers, pensions, banks, utilities.
Weeks 4-12 - Estate inventory
The executors gather valuations for everything in the estate:
- Property (a formal valuation if there's any IHT exposure).
- Bank and savings accounts as at the date of death.
- Investments and shares.
- Pensions (typically not part of the estate but still recorded).
- Personal effects of significant value.
- Outstanding debts.
This is where slow institutions add weeks. Some banks turn around date-of-death balances in days; others take 6+ weeks.
Weeks 8-16 - Inheritance tax
If the estate is over the £325,000 nil-rate band (or £500,000 if the residence nil-rate band applies), an IHT400 form is submitted to HMRC. Estates below the threshold submit the simpler IHT205 (now superseded by digital IHT clearance for most estates).
IHT must usually be paid before probate is granted, which can create a cash-flow problem if most of the estate is tied up in property. Banks will often release funds for IHT directly to HMRC under the "IHT Direct Payment Scheme".
For more on the tax position, see our inheritance tax guide.
Weeks 12-24 - Applying for the Grant
The probate application goes online via gov.uk for most cases. Required:
- The original will (and any codicils).
- The death certificate.
- The application form (PA1P for testate estates).
- The application fee (£273 for estates over £5,000 in 2026, plus £1.50 per copy).
In 2026, the Probate Service's average stop-the-clock waiting time is typically 6-12 weeks. Complex cases - missing original wills, contested wills, unusual estates - take longer.
Weeks 16-40 - Collecting and paying
Once the grant is issued, the executors:
- Send certified copies to each financial institution to have funds transferred to the estate account.
- Sell or transfer property.
- Settle outstanding debts and tax.
- Deal with any specific gifts.
Selling property is often the longest single step. A typical UK conveyancing chain in 2026 takes 12-16 weeks.
Weeks 32-50 - Final accounts and distribution
The executors prepare estate accounts showing what came in, what was paid out, and what's left for the residual beneficiaries. Beneficiaries receive their share, sign a receipt, and the estate is closed.
Most executors wait at least 6 months from the grant before final distribution to allow for any claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 - this isn't legally required but is a strong protective practice.
What slows probate down most
Some delays are unavoidable; others are predictable.
- Property sales. No way around the conveyancing timeline.
- Foreign assets. Different jurisdictions, different forms, different timeline.
- Disputed wills. A formal challenge can add a year or more.
- Missing documents. Lost original will, missing share certificates.
- Unresponsive co-executors. All executors have to act together unless one renounces. A reluctant co-executor can stall things for months.
- HMRC enquiries. If IHT calculations look unusual, HMRC can open an enquiry that takes months to close.
- Unclear beneficiaries. "Equally between my friends" - who are the friends?
Can probate be done without a solicitor?
Yes - and it commonly is. For straightforward estates, the executors can do it themselves through gov.uk for the £273 fee plus copies. The application form is well-designed, and the Probate Service helpline is competent.
For estates with property, business interests, foreign assets, or any complexity, executors usually instruct a probate practitioner. Fees are typically 1-3% of estate value (some firms charge by the hour - £200-£300/hr is common in 2026).
For complex estates, we recommend you seek assistance from a Trusted Hands Advisor or your own legal advice.
Common probate mistakes
- Distributing the estate before the 6-month claim window has passed.
- Missing creditors and being personally liable for unpaid debts (publishing a "section 27 notice" in the London Gazette protects executors).
- Selling property below market value to a related buyer (the estate may face a tax challenge).
- Forgetting to claim spousal/RNRB transferable nil-rate bands when the deceased's spouse predeceased them.
The Trusted Hands executor portal walks executors through each of these step-by-step.
> Ready to start your will? Trusted Hands turns these decisions into a 15-30 minute guided builder. Start free → — only pay when you download.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get the Grant of Probate in 2026?
For straightforward online applications, 6-12 weeks is typical. Paper applications, complex IHT cases, and contested cases take longer - sometimes 6+ months.
Can I sell the property before probate is granted?
You can put the property on the market and accept an offer "subject to probate" but you can't legally complete the sale until the grant is issued and you have title to transfer it.
Do all executors have to apply for probate together?
All named executors are entitled to apply. Up to four can be named on the grant. Any executor who doesn't want to act can either renounce (formally step down) or reserve power (defer the right to act unless circumstances change later).
What if there's no will?
The estate goes through the intestacy rules and a relative applies for Letters of Administration rather than probate. The order of priority is set by statute - spouse first, then children, then other relatives. The process is otherwise similar.
How much does probate cost in total?
Court fees: £273 plus £1.50 per copy. Optional probate practitioner fees: 1-3% of the estate value. IHT (if applicable): up to 40% of the value over £325,000.
Help your executors out before they need to read articles like this one. Start your will online and add executors directly - they'll get a guided portal when the time comes.
Ready to write your will?
Trusted Hands is a guided, plain-English will builder. You answer simple questions, see your draft as you go, and only pay when you're ready to download.
- Free to start — no card details to begin
- Smart Will Engine — only asks what's relevant to your situation
- Fixed price — no hourly bills, no surprises
- Annual updates option — keep your will editable as life changes